Group Nine under 23 coach James Smart was pleased to report that his entire squad got through the opening round unscathed ahead of the Riverina selection trial at 2pm on Saturday.

Smart named his 17 last month and there has not been any changes heading into the team’s first and only training run on Thursday night.

The clean injury report was a nice change for Smart.

“Last year we had all sorts of changes going on with injuries and everything so it’s nice to have the 17 we picked all keen and ready to go,” Smart said.

The Group Nine under 23 team has no shortage of quality.

Temora coach Sam Elwin will partner Gundagai’s Tyron Gorman in the halves, while the pack boasts the likes of Aaron Slater, Matt Henery, Zac Masters and James Hay.

“It’s a pretty impressive team but that doesn’t mean we’re going to go out and get everything on fire either,” Smart said.

“We’ll only have one training session so the key for us will be keeping things simple and playing to our strengths.

“Hopefully the boys can show what they’ve got and we get as many as we can into the Riverina side.”

While the game is a selection trial, it also relights the rivalry between Group Nine and Group 20.

Group Nine travelled to Griffith to get the win last year and are keen to stay on top.

Smart said the game is more than just a selection trial.

“Definitely, they are always tough games. Group 20, in particular, we always know that they will try to come out and beat Group Nine,” he said.

“We know they will come over focused to beat you and our boys will be no different.”

Riverina under 23s coach Josh Cale will be an interested onlooker as he prepares to pick the Bulls side to compete in the Country Championship.

Riverina will face GSR West Tigers in the opening round of the Southern Pool at Campbelltown Stadium on Saturday May 5.

Leaguetag is at 1pm on Saturday.